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Subject: OS/2 Discussion Forum 911003
Reply-To: Moderated discussion forum on OS/2 <OS2@BLEKUL11.BITNET>
************************************************************************
OS/2 Discussion Forum Mon, October 21, 1991 Volume 9110 Issue 03
Relevant addresses :
submissions : OS2@BLEKUL11.BITNET (bitnet)
OS2@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
subscriptions : LISTSERV@BLEKUL11.BITNET (bitnet)
LISTSERV@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
moderator : OS2MOD@BLEKUL11.BITNET (bitnet)
os2mod@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be (domain)
************************************************************************
Today's topics:
New files on LISTSERVer
Re: Passing values to a thread via the stack
Demand for OS/2 2.0
how to install EXCEL for Windows in OS/2 EE ?
AFP Host Printing thru OS/2 v2.0
Feed from the Usenet (UUCP/Internet) comp.os.os2.* newsgroups :
Another article on OS2 in the NYT
Solitair for Windows
Re: Solitair for Windows
OS2 - LOTUS question
Re: Another article on OS2 in the NYT
Re: Idea on how WE can help OS/2 and its ISVs
Re: OS/2 2.0 Delays...
Re: FAX from OS/2?
Re: Get OS/2 out now! (was: Re: NYT article on OS2 delay (long)
Re: OS/2 2.0 Delays...
Re: Congratulations to Lotus!
Word4PM pulled from OS/2, unfair politics by MS
EA DATA. SF? 3.5 MBytes!
Re: barefoot cobbler (was Re: IBM Royalties to Microsoft)
Wing Commander 2 and OS/2 2.0 !!!
Re: HELP: CONFIG.SYS deleted & then powered OFF->Hard Disk Stuffed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 91 12:00:00 +0100
From: Moderators of OS/2 Discussion Forum <OS2MOD@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be>
Subject: New files on LISTSERVer
This is a list of new or updated OS/2 related files available from the
LISTSERV of the OS/2 Discussion Forum at BLEKUL11.
* Files distributed via comp.os.os2.bin
filename filetype Remarks
-------- -------- -------------------------------
WLO10 PACKAGE Complete WLO-WIN3 Applets set (v1.0)
WLO10 ZIPXXE1 Complete WLO-WIN3 Applets set (v1.0)
.. .. ..
WLO10 ZIPXXE33 Complete WLO-WIN3 Applets set (v1.0)
Note: Use PKUNZIP -d to unzip ||
These files are distributed AS IS, we can not guarantee anything about
their working. These files are all XXencoded ZIP files. To use these
files you must first XXdecode (We recommend our own version of XXdecode
which works under OS/2) and UNZIP (We recommend PKZIP also under OS/2).
We still welcome all OS/2 related files for distribution on our LISTSERV.
Send your files to OS2@BLEKUL11.BITNET / OS2@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be
we will arrange everything for distribution.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 91 11:29:37 -0400
From: towfiq@ftp.com (Mark Towfiq)
Subject: Re: Passing values to a thread via the stack
>>>>> On Wed, 16 Oct 91 16:00:00 +0100, David John Marotta
>>>>> <djm5g@virginia.edu> said:
David> I have written the following code in my call:
David> j = 0xFF;
David> sRC = _beginthread(&Junk, StackPointer, StackSize-2, NULL);
David> And the following code to receive the parameter:
David> VOID FAR Junk(int i) {
David> CHAR szTemp100;
David> sprintf(szTemp, "The value of i is %d\n", i);
David> printf(szTemp);
David> } /* Junk */
David> But the value printed for i is always zero (0)
David> Can anyone send me working code or tell me what I am doing wrong?
Try:
/* The NULL asks _beginthread to allocate the stack for you */
sRC = _beginthread(&Junk, NULL, Stacksize, (void _far *) j);
VOID FAR Junk(void _far *i) {
CHAR szTemp100;
sprintf(szTemp, "The value of i is %d\n", (int) i);
printf(szTemp);
} /* Junk */
--
Mark Towfiq, FTP Software, towfiq@FTP.COM, W:+1 617 224 6275, H:+1 617 488 2818
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 91 08:07:53 CDT
From: Bob=Johnson%TSE-ENG%CS=Hou@bangate.compaq.com
Subject: Demand for OS/2 2.0
A phone survey was conduct by Computer Reseller News on 9/23. The question
was " Do you foresee a strong demand for IBM's OS/2 2.0? ". The magazine
is oriented to computer dealers. The results appeared in the 10/7 issue (p15).
85% YES 15% NO.
The survey is by no means scientific ( call this number to cast a YES or this
number for a NO vote.) and doesn't state how many respondents there were.
As always STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLIES.
Bj
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 91 15:06:17 +0100
From: rda <DAVID@BUCLLN11.BITNET>
Subject: how to install EXCEL for Windows in OS/2 EE ?
Hello,
The question will seem stupid...
Is it possible to install the Microsoft Excel for Windows version of the
product under OS/2 EE ???
When I type "a:install" as indicated in the book, I receive the SYS1804
message: The system cannot find the file...
Thanks...
rda
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 91 13:53:09 CDT
From: Charlie Turner <CHARLIE@UMVMA>
Subject: AFP Host Printing thru OS/2 v2.0
Can an OS/2 v2 PC accept AFP print data from a host and then print that
on an attached printer?
Something about this seems familiar, although I don't recall any mention
of it on the recent OS/2 v2 FTNs I've seen.
Thanks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feed from the Usenet (UUCP/Internet) comp.os.os2.* newsgroups :
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: varmint@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Samir Varma)
Subject: Another article on OS2 in the NYT
Date: 17 Oct 91 01:00:55 GMT
Organization: Center for Particle Physics, University of Texas
Since so many people wanted this article, here it is:
>From the New York Times, Tuesday, October 15, 1991.
Software's Giants to Square Off:
Early next year, I. B. M. and the Microsoft Corporation, the two giants of
personal computing, will go head to head in their first direct
confrontation. It is a contest that may well determine the shape of the
computer industry.
It is a crucial battle that will pit I. B. M.'s ability to produce a
next-generation, more powerful software system against Microsfot's pervasive
influence in the world of personal computers. While the International
Business Machines Corporation conceded last week that its operating system
would be delayed a few months while new features were hurriedly added, it
still insisted that it would be delivered in a timely fashion, probably next
March.
Both companies acknowledge that the winner fo the next round of the
operating-systems wars will have a tremendous advantage in selling software
that controls personal computers. The clash between OS/2 2.0 from I. B. M.
and Windows 3.1 from Microsoft-both now due to be introduced early in
1992-will give corporate and small-business owners thier clearest choice yet
as to where to invest their development resources.
"It's a critical time because customers are deciding who their strategic
partner is, and it's going to be only one of two people," said Morton
Rosenthal, president of Corporate Software Inc., a software distributor
based in Westwook, Mass.
I. B. M. has staked its corporate pride-and possibly its survival in the
personal computer industry-on its new OS/2 2.0. It is basing its case on
the power and sophistication of OS/2, which will be the first to deliver a
true 32-bit operating system to the I. B. M.-compatible world. A successful
OS/2 would also help I. B. M blunt Microsoft's charge, and return large
corporations and industry developers to the I. B. M. fold.
Earlier version of OS/2 and Windows have been 16-bit systems that process
data less efficiently and impose restrictions on programmer. Full 32-bit
software applications are needed to take advantage of the Intel
Corporation's 386 and 486 microprocessors, which, until now, have been
hobbled by existing software.
Claims of Being Better
"A properly written OS/2 application will blow the socks off Windows
applications," said Will Zachmann, an analyst at Canopus Research, a
computer industry consulting firm in Boston.
I. B. M., in fact, says the new OS/2 will deliver "better DOS than DOS and
better Windows than Windows." Joseph Guglielmi, I. B. M.'s vice president
and general manger for market and business development, said the program
would be able to run Windows 3.0 programs and have a Macintosh-like screen
called the Workplace Shell that can be controlled by a "mouse" pointing
device.
I. B. M.'s delay has been caused by last-minute changes to allow the
company's system to run Windows inside OS/2 Windows, rather than making the
user switch screens, as if changing channels on a television.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Microsoft, for its part, is counting on the popularity of its Windows
program, and the desire on the part of computer users and software
developers not to start again with a new system. It is now designing its
own 32 bit version of Windows-known internally as Win4-while dealing with
criticisms that the current version is prone to frequent, unexpected crashes
and that it will not be as speedy as I. B. M.'s new system.
Microsoft's programmers say that they are investing a significant amount of
work in making the 3.1 version of Windows less prone to crashing. They also
say that the new version of windows will be significantly more sprightly.
To insure that Windows does not lose the speed wars, Brad A. Sliverberg,
Microsoft's vice president in charge of developing the new version of
Windows, has instructed his programmer not to use the most powerful
I. B. M.-compatible computers so that they will have a better sense of the
typical user's experience.
"My own machine is a 386SX," he said.
Microsoft is also loading Windows 3.1 with a variety of new features,
including its Truetype font technology developed with Apple Computer Inc.
and designed to permit I. B. M.-compatible computes to display more flexible
and more precise fonts on a computer screen. The new version of Windows ill
also include better local area network support, easier setup and a somewhat
enhanced user interface to make it easier for computer users to view file
directories.
While it is too early to predict a winner, Microsfot is coming to the
showdown with a decided edge. The software powerhouse has sold a remarkable
six million copies of its Windows program in the last 16 months, making it
the second-fastest-selling program in personal computer history after
Microsoft's own MS-DOS operating package.
A Battle For Allegiance
I. B. M.'s pricipal challenge will be to stop the hemorrhage of software
developers who are now developing only for Windows. For this reason, a tie,
in which the two companies share the market, is unlikely because the winner
will largley be determined by who is most successful in winning the
allegiance of thousands of software developers.
"I can't see how Microsoft can lose at this point," said Dick Shaffer,
publisher of Technologic, a computer industry newsletter.
On Microsoft's corporate campus in Redmond, Wash., the mood is definitely
upbeate. Shuttle buses carrying potential new employees circle constantly;
construction cranes tower over sprawling building that dot the campus.
Microsoft executives, confident of their momentum, exhibit an air of
brashness. "Windows certainly has the big `mo,'" said Steven Ballmer, a
Macrosoft vice president who heads the development of the company's
operating systems.
Still, Microsoft is not a sure winner. While millions of copies of its
program have been sold, analysts estimate tht the full-time use of the
program may be as low as 25 percent because the current version of Windows
performs poorly on standard desktop machines and because of the unexpected
crashes.
"People are very frustrated with Windows," said Paul Johnston, a software
anyalyst at First Boston.
A Potential Nightmare
A Windows 3.1 full of bugs could well prove to be the company's worst
nightmare. The company's image as a progamming powerhouse would evaporate
virtually overnight. And that possiblilty leaves a significant opening for
I. B. M.
The coming confrontation has already had opening salvos from both sides. In
recent months, for example, both companies have publicly traded barbs over
just how easy it is to crash the other's software.
Microsoft's executives have also suggested that it will be impossible for
I. B. M. to deliver on its promise to run "Windows better than Windows." In
fact, Mr. Ballmer has said that he is willing to eat a floppy disk if that
turns out to be the case.
A cold war has intensified behind the scenes as well. During the last two
months, both companies have stopped exchanging "source code"-the programming
instructions for OS/2 ans Windows that are supposed to be routinely
exchanged under a longstanding cross-licencing agreement.
For now, the companies are turning their attention to getting their systems
out. I. B. M. executives said that this week the company woudl ship a new
test version of OS/2 2.0 that would include Windows support and the
Workplace Shell for the first time.
I. B. M. will also be trying to keep in the fold the 350 software developers
that Mr. Guglielmi said I. B. M. was counting on to develop 500 programs for
the new version of OS/2.
A crucial challenge for I. B. M. in the coming months will be to assure its
users of its long-term commitment to OS/2. With its recently announced
alliance with Apple Computer to develop a new style of personal computer,
I. B. M. has raised doubts about that commitment. And industry analysts
note that far fewer software companies are actually writing OS/2 programs
today, since so many have shifted their programmer to work on Windows
versions.
Autodesk, a publisher of computer aided design software in Sausalito,
Calif., is an example of the credibility problem that I. B. M. faces. When
the first 16-bit version of OS/2 was introduced, the company dedicated a
group of programmers to design a version of its Autocad program for the new
operating system. But that program languished because few copies of OS/2
were sold. Now Autodesk has shifted its programmers to work on a Windows
version, and is waiting to see if the new OS/2 succeeds. Even if OS/2 does
take off, some say, Microsoft has a victory of sorts because I. B. M. has
been forced to make Windows a part of its newest version of OS/2.
Top Spot Not Assured
But Microsoft will not necessarily remain king of the mountain forever.
Despite its apparent monopoly in operating systems software for today's
desktop computers, a number of industry executives and analystst predict
that changing technology will undercut Microsoft's position in the future.
One important change is the development of object-oriented operating systems
that will lead to software built from modular components that can be
assembled like Lego toys. Object-oriented systems are being called a
powerful alternative to conventional software designs because they simplify
the software development process, permitting designers easily to re-use
existing software to build new programs. Such systems will permit
competitors of future object-oriented systems to slip alternative programs
into place easily.
"You won't need to compete with all of Microsoft; you can just compete with
their mail system," said Esther Dyson, publisher of release 1.0 an industry
newsletter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, I suggest everyone get rid of their PC Mag and Byte
subscriptions and get the New York Times. It has lots more information than
the aforementioned rags!
Samir Varma
varmint@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Center for Particle Physics,
The University of Texas at Austin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: tholen@hale.ifa.hawaii.edu (Dave Tholen)
Subject: Solitair for Windows
Date: 19 Oct 91 00:13:44 GMT
Well, my posting of a week or so ago about CSD 5016's failure to properly
install LOCKUPH.HLP produced underwhelming response: none. At least
nothing made it to this site. So let's try another bug.
Microsoft Solitaire for Windows was ported to OS/2 using the Software
Migration Kit (SMK). If you run this program, it corrupts Presentation
Manager -- that is, it corrupts mine, and I'm curious if others have
noticed the same problem.
More specifically, when you double click on a full screen icon in PM, you
are switched to that session, if PM is healthy. Immediately after running
Solitaire for Windows, however, double clicking on a full screen icon does
nothing more than toggle the menu on then off. The only way I've found to
fix the problem is to reboot. Of course, one can still switch to a full
screen session by selecting all the right items from the various menus,
but that's more tedious than the double click. Oddly enough, icons for
PM programs or windowed text sessions work as before.
There's obviously a bug somewhere, but I have no idea whether it's in
Solitaire for Windows, the SMK, or OS/2. Comments, anyone?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ssanbeg@visual.spk.wa.us (Scott Sanbeg)
Subject: Re: Solitair for Windows
Date: 19 Oct 91 16:24:33 GMT
Organization: Graphic Images By Design, Spokane, WA
tholen@hale.ifa.hawaii.edu (Dave Tholen) writes:
> Well, my posting of a week or so ago about CSD 5016's failure to properly
> install LOCKUPH.HLP produced underwhelming response: none. At least
> nothing made it to this site. So let's try another bug.
Sorry, can't help with this one.
>
> Microsoft Solitaire for Windows was ported to OS/2 using the Software
> Migration Kit (SMK). If you run this program, it corrupts Presentation
> Manager -- that is, it corrupts mine, and I'm curious if others have
> noticed the same problem.
I think you're talking about the WLO applets? If so, I had a problem on
the 386 stating that "Your library files are outdated..." (something to
that effect), and telling me that I need to update them, letting me click
on CANCEL and move right into the applet as if nothing happened. At the
same time, the WLO's did nothing of the sort on another machine here.
They just started up fine. So it was perplexing. I received a piece of
email stating that the order in the LIBPATH and/or PATH statements might
be calling an outdated .DLL before it calls the included .DLLs
distributed with the applets. This in fact was the case. Setting a
different working dir for the applet group, the requester disappeared.
Now, granted, you're describing PM's reaction to running an applet more
than lib requesters, I know. But my idea is that maybe if you locate the
WLO .DLLs into their own directory, the applets into their own group on
the Desktop Manager, and set a working directory to the applets, then
there is no chance that an applet .DLL might be getting in the way of a
OS/2 standard .DLL during powerup.
I'm obviously not too aware of technical terms just yet and hope I
haven't muddled up the above much. Do you understand?
Scott
Scott Sanbeg Spokane, Wa. Voice: 509/535-2561 BIX: ssanbeg
ssanbeg@visual.spk.wa.us (or) visual!ssanbeg@tau-ceti.isc-br.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ellen@netcom.COM (Ellen (IKOS))
Subject: OS2 - LOTUS question
Date: 21 Oct 91 20:06:02 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Does anybody work with Lotus Notes Application Programming Interface?
(This is a new product of Lotus Corporation)
I have such a problem:
I wrote a program (using Microsoft C) which works in OS/2 char mode. The program
use a lot of Lotus Notes API library function. The program scans the whole hard
drive, looks for Notes database files (*.nsf, *.ntf, *.nsg, *.nsh), gets some
information from this files using both API calls and functions like 'read()',
explores this information and stores the results in defined Notes database file
using Notes API calls.
When I run this program on my computer (IBM PC 486, 8 MB RAM, OS/3 1.3), at the
same time usually Notes itself were running, it was no problems at all and the
program work perfectly.
But when I tried to run it at another computer (IBM PC 386, 8 MB RAM, OS/2) on
which at the same time were running Notes Server software, my program always
caused the system crash at the very beginning of its execution, at the first
second.
When at the same computer Notes Server software was not running, but Notes
itself was running, my program caused system crash after 2 or 3 minutes of
its execution. But when at the same computer only my program was running,
it worked perfectly.
Then I tried to reproduced this problem at my computer. But inspite of all my
attempts I was not able to cause the system crash. I ran at the same time 6
instances of my program, Notes itself and Notes server software (not entire
server software, netbios and network support were not running, may be something
else), and it works correct without any crashes. It is interesting that during
the beginning of its execution my 6 instances of the program were running
considerably faster than in the end of execution.
I think that the problem is that my program could not share some system
resources with other software, but I can not understand , what resources and
with which software? And why? Also why the same attempts on my computer did not
cause the system crash?
I will be very thankful for any advices since it is very important for me to
make this program in a short time because it is my first task on the new
workplace.
Cheers,
Yan.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: bradleyt@spot.Colorado.EDU (Todd Bradley)
Subject: Re: Another article on OS2 in the NYT
Date: 17 Oct 91 15:29:56 GMT
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
In article <59479@ut-emx.uucp> varmint@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Samir Varma) writes:
>
>To insure that Windows does not lose the speed wars, Brad A. Sliverberg,
>Microsoft's vice president in charge of developing the new version of
>Windows, has instructed his programmer not to use the most powerful
^^^^^^^^^^
>I. B. M.-compatible computers so that they will have a better sense of the
>typical user's experience.
No wonder Windows 3.1 has taken so long. Maybe they should hire
another developer ;)
[No spelling flame intended. Thanks for transcribing the article,
Samir.]
>"My own machine is a 386SX," he said.
As if V.P.'s ever use their own computers anyhow...
Todd.
--
Todd Bradley----Oompa Loompas Ultimate Frisbee Team 5-1
443-6317 home, 492-5826 office, 530-9000 other office
"Thou shalt not wear Metalgear when the chief ingredient in acid
is also the most common element in the universe (H+)."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: jokim@jarthur.claremont.edu (John H. Kim)
Subject: Re: Idea on how WE can help OS/2 and its ISVs
Date: 17 Oct 91 15:55:43 GMT
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Any time I get one of those junk mail things from a vendor that includes
a postage-paid envelope, I write in big letters on the order form:
"If you make an OS/2 version, I'll consider buying it"
and send it back.
--
John H. Kim | (This space to be filled when I
jokim@jarthur.claremont.edu | think of something very clever
uunet!jarthur!jokim | to use as a disclaimer)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: darylb@velveeta.mfg.hou.compaq.com (Daryl Biberdorf)
Subject: Re: OS/2 2.0 Delays...
Organization: Compaq Computer Corporation
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1991 20:20:42 GMT
In article <17OCT199114502469@lims05.lerc.nasa.gov>
smbrush@lims05.lerc.nasa.gov (Andy Brush @Sverdrup) writes:
>Actually, Daryl, IBM seems to think that "joe user" wants/needs SEAMLESS
>integration of Windows applications onto the PM desktop. Readers of this
>group know that the current beta of v.2.0 will do Windows in full-screen.
Unfortunately, IBM has hinted that this capability to run Windows seamlessly
on the PM desktop will be provided with the new release of OS/2.
I know it hasn't been officially stated, but that's what people have been
led to believe. I personally am willing to accept the present state as
adequate; I don't need Windows to run in PM space. But if everyone is
*expecting* it, then they'll immediately say stuff like, "It's IBM again.
OS/2 is as incompetent as ever."
Like it or not, there's a lot of anti-IBM sentiment these days that must
be overcome if OS/2 is to succeed. OS/2 must meet all expectations or
it's doomed.
>I ask you, how many Windows programs do you usually have on your desktop as
>open windows? I think that one is the typical answer from someone who
>actually works. I would be very happy being able to run several full-
>screen DOS and/or Windows sessions, as long as the clipboard was there to
>cut/paste from DOS to Windows to OS/2.
So would I. But I'm a developer. I have a vague idea of how much work
it takes to do seamless integration. I know about how useful
seamless integration will be over non-seamless (not much). Joe User
doesn't know these things. He will be disappointed if it doesn't work.
What we have here is technical innovation and its supporters (us) versus
expectations, market perception, and emotions (them).
Daryl
--
Daryl Biberdorf N5GJM darylb@marble.compaq.com
Compaq Computer Corporation 20555 SH 249 M/S 060106, Houston, TX 77070-2698
We can't legislate morality? Nonsense. We legislate little else.
morality: rightness or wrongess, as of an action (New World Dictionary, 3/e)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: rommel@Informatik.TU-Muenchen.DE (Kai Uwe Rommel)
Subject: Re: FAX from OS/2?
Date: 17 Oct 91 20:49:06 GMT
Organization: Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Germany
In article <11750034@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com> joeb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com
(Joe Barnhart) writes:
>I'm looking for a low-cost FAX board for my ISA-based machine. My
>most difficult requirement is that it come with software which works
>under OS/2!
>I know there are a variety of FAX boards which come with Windows
>drivers, and I'd like something similar for my OS/2 PM system. In
>particular, I'd like to have the ability to "print" FAXes while
>in protected-mode (i.e. not the DOS box).
>Any suggestions?
At least, information.
I have a FAX/modem card in my PC (Digitan HI-IQ modem) which came with
the well-known BitFAX/SR software for DOS. The software is made by BIT
Software, Inc. and they have also already released a Windows based
software (which is unusable). However, they have some OS/2 PM based
software in beta test (actually, the software is written by Keller
Group, Inc.), current version is 0.92. I have it and it works already
quite well. I could be better, especially some printer driver that
prints to an input bitmap for the software is missing. Import of
documents is currently limited to ASCII, bitmaps and some flavours of
TIFF. But the software works better than the (released!) Windows
software.
If you want further information, contact:
BIT Software, Inc.
47987 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: (415) 490-2928
FAX: (415) 490-9490
Their technical support (with which I had conversation) has separate
numbers:
Phone: (415) 490-9470
FAX: (415) 490-2939
Hope this helps,
Kai Uwe Rommel
/* Kai Uwe Rommel, Munich ----- rommel@informatik.tu-muenchen.de */
DOS ... is still a real mode only non-reentrant interrupt
handler, and always will be. -Russell Williams
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: yeel@aix.rpi.edu (Crimson Avenger)
Subject: Re: Get OS/2 out now! (was: Re: NYT article on OS2 delay (long)
Date: 17 Oct 91 21:37:41 GMT
Organization: None
Actually to be fair to IBM, the reports that the press has been reporting
hasn't been final yet. How knows what they will do next week? Maybe next
week, they will announce the shipping of something.
Here is something interesting:
I called up Wordperfect Corp. and ask for demos of Wordperfect for Windows.
I also asked for WP for OS/2 to be fair to you folks out there in OS/2 land.
Anyway, with Windows, they are offering a BETA-2 release for $48 or $40
which isn't a complete version of WP for windows, it's a trial copy. I
asked them to mail me some information. They didn't say I could get it
for OS/2. Now, if betas is that easy to get.
Suggestion: IBM announce a "Beta-2" version of OS/2 2.0 for everyone for a
minimual cover charge ($49) and sa the full version
will be release 1st quarter 1992. It would satisfy some people who want
an early peek! Beta-2 wouldn't be a complete version (lacking Windows support).
There are three types of people:
a) OS/2 die hard fans which needs no convincing that OS/2 is going to make it.
They see the delay as chance to better improve the product and better
acceptance.
b) Windows users curious about OS/2 and they need some convincing
that OS/2 is the way to go. I like to rank myself in this particular group.
These people see Windows 3.1 and OS/2 coming out at the same time, and
they have to make a decision. Windows or OS/2? They don't know, and
they see this delay as uncertainity on IBM's part. I see this delay (as
some people in this category) as IBM breaking a promise. Remember Apple
and System 7? (2 years delay) and Apple and IBM is going to try to
produce "Pink" in two years? Lots of luck.
c) DOS users who have x286/x86 machines which OS/2 2.0 can't run. These
people are going to stick with DOS 5.0/6.0.. you can't convince these
people to switch, they don't have the hardware.
I think IBM should ship something for people who are interested in
a first look, just to upstage Windows 3.1. Cover of PC Week Magazine
with "OS/2 2.0 Internal Version", I like it. It looks like the
old OS/2 icons are removed and placed with "Motif" interface. I was
impressed by the picture of the OS/2 2.0 version. I see some things
(suggestions) that I would like to make.... Including removing header
descriptions of what program do. A one word title should suffice. I
also like to see programs arrange horiztonally instead of vertically
in program group.
Finally! In the PC week article, it's mentioned that OS/2 2.0 beta
after 6.149 has already been SHIPPED!
Enough said.. blast away1
--
-- I am only USING this account.
-- Robert aka Crimson Avenger (yeel@rpi.edu or crimson_avenger@mts.rpi.edu)
Once a hacker, always a hacker. (usergza7@rpitsmts.bitnet)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: goldberg@iastate.edu (Adam Goldberg)
Subject: Re: OS/2 2.0 Delays...
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1991 13:38:15 GMT
In <1991Oct17.205740.24463@hemlock.cray.com>
bgm@hemlock.cray.com (Bert Moshier) writes:
> For example: An OS/2 end-user on the beach or at the ball game. The
> Windows end-user still at work -or- in a traffic jam saying "If only
> DeScribe for Windows would let me FILE and SAVE at the same time, I'd
> be at the game by now."
>
I see a great commercial:
Two facing magazine pages, the left size is a guy in a traffic jam behind
an accident. The police are saying "UAE, please exit the freeway, go home,
and start your trip again". He says "Argh! If I had used OS/2, I wouldn't
have to start ALL OVER". (PS: This guy drives a rusty, clunky old Chevette)
On the right page is a guy in a brand new red Ferrarri, zipping down the
freeway, talking on the cellular phone, listening to the radio and thinking
about how much fun he's going to have at the beach. He looks over to his
right, sees the traffic jam on the non-Express lanes (with the guy in the
Chevette) and feels sorry for those not using OS/2.
I know it needs some work, but ...
--
Adam Goldberg ! "I can see your point, but you're still full
goldberg@iastate.edu ! of shit." -- Button worn by Tom Petty during
tabu6@isuvax.BITNET ! a recent Rolling Stone interview.
#include <disclaimer> !
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ACUS02@waccvm.corp.mot.com (David McAnally)
Subject: Re: Congratulations to Lotus!
Date: 22 Oct 91 06:14:36 GMT
Organization: Motorola Inc.
>This news is slightly old, but Lotus is releasing an upgrade (from
>Version 1.0 to 1.1) for their 1-2-3/G product for OS/2 (1.x +)
>Presentation Manager.
>
>I just want to offer my congratulations to Lotus for their continued
>support of OS/2.
>--
>Timothy F. Sipples sip1@quads.uchicago.edu
I agree.
And for those that want the details, here's the announcement from LDC
as released on Compuserve.
Regards,
David McAnally
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lotus Announces Lotus 1-2-3 for OS/2
Reinforces Commitment to OS/2
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., October 9, 1991 -- Lotus Development Corp. today
announced Release 1.1 of Lotus 1-2-3 for OS/2, an update to 1-2-3/G, the
graphical version of 1-2-3 designed for the OS/2 and Presentation
Manager personal computer operating system. Lotus will ship Standard,
Server and Node Editions of the product within 30 days.
Lotus 1-2-3 for OS/2 fully exploits the OS/2 environment, is
CUA-compliant and provides full compatibility with all versions of
1-2-3. Enhancements in the new release include an extended macro
language, C programming interface, a Draw Layer capability, and enhanced
graphing features. Lotus is also including a DataLens driver for the
IBM Extended Edition Data Manager with the product.
"Customers have told us that OS/2 applications play a significant role
in their business, and that they require the latest spreadsheet
technologies, as well as the ability to build custom applications," said
Jeffrey Beir, director of product marketing for spreadsheets. "1-2-3
for OS/2 satisfies these needs by providing OS/2 users with
industry-leading analytical tools, as well as the familiarity of Lotus
1-2-3."
Lotus 1-2-3 for OS/2 is the only spreadsheet that offers the ease-of-use
of 1-2-3 while fully exploiting the graphical environment of OS/2. The
product includes industry-leading features such as Solver, true three
dimensional worksheets, file linking and external database access, a
"What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get" display and previews and palettes in
dialog boxes.
1-2-3 for OS/2 also provides a Draw Layer capability and enhanced
graphing features, including an interactive graph gallery that allows
users to easily select between dozens of chart types. Users can move
graphs directly on screen or include them with a spreadsheet for display
or printing.
1-2-3 for OS/2 takes full advantage of the speed, large memory,
preemptive multi-tasking and HPFS (high-performance file system) of
OS/2. It supports DDE for better integration with other applications,
and is OS/2 2.0 compliant. 1-2-3 for OS/2 provides greater flexibility
in customizing applications via macros through the C programming
interface.
System Requirements, Pricing and Availability
Lotus 1-2-3 for OS/2 requires an IBM PS/2 (386 and higher) or Compaq
models (386 and higher) or 100% compatibles; OS/2 version 1.2 or higher;
a minimum of 4 megabytes of RAM, and is designed for use with networks
that support OS/2 version 1.2 or higher.
The suggested retail price for 1-2-3 for OS/2 Standard Edition is $695.
The Network Server and Node Editions of the product will be available
for a suggested retail price of $995 and $695, respectively.
Through the Lotus Technology Guarantee, all customers who purchase or
have purchased a version of 1-2-3 on or after April 1, 1991, are
eligible to upgrade to 1-2-3 for OS/2 Release 1.1 for a suggested retail
price of $49. All other current 1-2-3 users can upgrade to 1-2-3 for
OS/2 for a suggested retail price of $150.
Lotus Development Corp. (NASDAQ:LOTS), founded in 1982, develops,
users access, analyze, communicate and share information. The company's
first product, Lotus 1-2-3, is the most popular software program in the
world, with more than 14 million users. Lotus markets its broad range
of products in more than 65 countries and offers users comprehensive
support options, including 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week support in the
U.S. for PC users of its 1-2-3 spreadsheet.
# # #
All prices and terms are for the U.S. only.
1-2-3 and Solver are registered trademarks of Lotus Development
Corporation. OS/2 and Extended Edition Data Manager are trademarks of
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization: Wirtschaftsuniversitaet Wien, Vienna, Austria
Date: Sunday, 20 Oct 1991 15:38:28 WUT
From: FLATSCHER Rony <RONY@awiwuw11.wu-wien.ac.at>
Subject: Word4PM pulled from OS/2, unfair politics by MS
At the OS/2-UGA-meeting in Austria a couple of days ago people learned
that Microsoft pulled Word for Presentation Manager from the market.
Officialy, because of the many bugs. Microsoft said, they had no plans
for any further OS/2 Word (e.g. Word4Windows ports in the future). The
same is true for future Excel ports to OS/2 which will not occur.
I wonder how a multimegabuck company like Microsoft
a) cannot produce a working word for OS/2 PM, the "most advanced
operating system of the nineties" as Microsoft stated itself,
b) can get away with betraying its customers (is the word
betraying too hard ?) who believed in the strong support
for OS/2 by Microsoft, stated by Microsoft itself,
c) not having 32-bit or even any support in their upcoming
C7.0-compiler for OS/2 as some say
d) many more <not written> ...
By the way; some representatives of OS/2-customers (meaning managers
in companies) mentioned that they are in a hard position now that
Microsoft pulls its software from OS/2. In the dawn of OS/2 version
2.0 they are planning on migrating to Lotus for spreadsheet and
word-processing (AmiPro) and/or to WordPerfect if they present an OS/2
version of their WordProcessor. Maybe they should evaluate DeScribe
too. The migration according to them will take place within the
next two years (so one sees how painful it is for companies).
The point clearly is, that if Microsoft is trying to hurt OS/2 by
hurting its deer customers (who even sticked to the infamous Word4PM)
by pulling off their software, others (Lotus, Borland, startups etc.) will
step in and hedge on it. Therefore producing OS/2 applications becomes
a very, very interesting thing again for competitors.
Who would like to play against a team anyway, where the arbitrator
owns the opposite's team as is the case with ***MS***-Windows and
***MS***-Windows-Applications?)
rony
--
Rony G. Flatscher flatscher@wu-wien.ac.at, rony@awiwuw11.bitnet
University of Economics and Business Administration
Augasse 2-6, A-1090 Vienna, Austria (Heart of Europe)
Tel: +43 (222) 313 36 x4671 (9-18 CET) Fax 34 75 55
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: pkarrer@bernina.ethz.ch (Peter Karrer)
Subject: EA DATA. SF? 3.5 MBytes!
Date: 20 Oct 91 22:23:53 GMT
Organization: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, CH
EA DATA. SF is the hidden system file that holds the OS/2 "extended
attributes" for files on FAT drives.
I found out that OS/2 2.0 beta makes an entry in EA DATA. SF for each and every
EXE and .COM file it finds on the drive. This includes *DOS* executables.
I think this wasn't the case in 1.3.
I wouldn't mind, but it seems that each entry in EA DATA. SF takes up at
least 4KB. I know that 4K is kind of a magic number (page size, disk
allocation unit size), but I think it's a bit much to hold the information
"I'm a DOS executable".
DOS executables tend to be quite small. The drive in question has 780
EXE/.COM files. 126 of those are less than 4 KB (the smallest is 8 bytes),
325 are less than 16 KB. The total size of all .COM/.EXE files is about 39 MB.
So, we get an overhead of almost 10% with the 3.5 MB EA DATA. SF.
Can anybody explain? How do extended attributes work anyway on FAT drives?
How is the association between directory entry and EA DATA. SF established?
What happens when a file is moved, deleted or added under DOS?
BTW, don't try to delete it. I did (just curious) and had to work real hard
to get OS/2 running again (Boot OS/2 from floppy, CHKDSK C:/F and reinstall
OS/2 will do the job).
--
Peter Karrer pkarrer@bernina.ethz.ch
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: adnan@caesar.rice.edu (ADNAN Sarmad)
Subject: Re: barefoot cobbler (was Re: IBM Royalties to Microsoft)
Date: 21 Oct 1991 01:56:19 GMT
Organization: Rice University
In article 4808 Ian Ellison-Taylor of microsoft FALSLY claims:
>Oh, and by the way Charles, here at MS, Windows is everywhere !!!
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Ian.
>--
>Ian Ellison-Taylor, SDE for Windows 3.1.
>P.S. No I don't speak for Microsoft Corp, yes I am biased.
Up until last night (when I logged on) the Microsoft BBS was still running
TRUE BLUE IBM OS/2 1.3.
I guess there is atleast one person at microsoft that has some sense. :)
--
Sarmad Adnan (adnan@rice.edu)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: smsmith@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Stephen M Smith)
Subject: Wing Commander 2 and OS/2 2.0 !!!
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1991 03:41:34 GMT
Well, I'm really sorry if this posting doesn't belong here, but
I was SO excited to find out that the most advanced state-of-the-
art game (Wing Commander 2) works under OS/2 2.0. To me this is
a miracle because rec.games.misc has DOZENS of people complaining
about trying to get it to run correctly on their systems from the
DOS prompt. Wing Commander needs AT LEAST 587k free base memory
plus an additional 1 MEG expanded memory in order for all the graphics
and sound to even work! It uses both synthesized music and digitized
sound, as well as full-motion pseudo-3D raytracing. From the DOS
prompt you need at least a 386sx/16 for it to run acceptably, though
a lot of people with 386sx/16's have complained about how slow it
runs on their systems.
With all that in mind, read the following!!!
>From smsmith Sun Oct 20 23:30:16 EDT 1991
chawdry@cis.ohio-state.edu (rehan nisar chawdry) writes:
[ ]
>And yes, one more thing. Saw a beta copy of OS/2 2.0. Now, the way I test
>how good and stable an operating system is, is by running Wing Commander on
>it. Well, we all know how well Windows handles that, but OS/2? I'll leave
>you drooling on that one cause I was IMPRESSED. You want to see OS/2 die? Fine.
>
> -- Rehan --
Really? How much memory did Wing Commander have to run? Were you
able to give it expanded memory? Did the soundblaster work with
it? I've wanted to know whether WC would work under OS/2 for some
time now! Tell us the details!
smsmith@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Stephen M Smith) writes:
>chawdry@cis.ohio-state.edu (rehan nisar chawdry) writes:
>Really? How much memory did Wing Commander have to run? Were you
>able to give it expanded memory? Did the soundblaster work with
>it? I've wanted to know whether WC would work under OS/2 for some
>time now! Tell us the details!
We had a computer Expo here in Brisbane recently and I went along to the
IBM seminar on OS/2. At the end of it the guy thought he would give a
demo to really impress us. Wing Commander II in a window. That's right,
your eyes are not decieving you. Not only that, but he had a soundblaster
installed in the machine and the sound support was complete, voices and
all (therefore he must have set up some of the memory as EMS).
It was on a 20MHz 386 with 4Mb RAM (I think) and the speed was OK - not
great, but seeing he was running other stuff in the background, I was
pretty impressed. The speech was quite clear.
BTW, I'll repeat for clarity, he did run it in a PM windows as well as
full screen. OS/2 v 2 is going to be soo useful for RPG type games
(on-line maping made easy :)
ant
Cheers,
Stephen M. Smith \ + /
<smsmith@magnus. \+++++/ " #*&<-[89s]*(k#$@-_=//a2$]'+=.(2_&*%>,,@
acs.ohio-state. \ + / {7%*@,..":27g)-=,#*:.#,/6&1*.4-,l@#9:-) "
edu> \ + /
BTW, WYSInaWYG \ + / --witty.saying.ARC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: dinda@telliott.austin.ibm.com
Subject: Re: HELP: CONFIG.SYS deleted & then powered OFF->Hard Disk Stuffed
Date: 21 Oct 91 15:08:27 GMT
Organization: IBM AWD, Austin
In article <RFROST.91Oct20234601@spam.ua.oz.au>
rfrost@spam.ua.oz.au (Richard Frost) writes:
>
>A person at work accidentally deleted the CONFIG.SYS file on an OS/2
>machine (running on a Olivetti 486 system), and then powered down
>the machine without shutting down OS/2 first. The result of which,
>we cannot access any files on the 300 meg hard disk!
>
| | |
> Invalid internal file key type ..
>
>Also we get a system error 'SYS003' whenever we try to CD to a known
>directory on C:
>
First thing to try, whether you have a FAT, SuperFAT, or HPFS partition is
to do a
CHKDSK /F C:
after booting from your install disk. This fixes 90% of these problems.
If you are running HPFS, and a bad file system is detected, this is
done automatically by the HPFS driver on startup - unfortunately, by
deleting the CONFIG.SYS, you've also lost the line
IFS=C:\OS2\HPFS.IFS /AUTOCHECK C: etc...
and will have to do it manually. As fo reconstructing the CONFIG.SYS,
I would recommend installing OS/2 on a different machine with the same
options and then transfering the CONFIG.SYS file over.
Good luck.
Peter A. Dinda
--
--> Peter A. Dinda <-- | dinda@telliott.austin.ibm.com |+++++++++++++
--> IBM Austin AWD B2E <-- | DINDA AT AUSVMQ |+My opinions+
--> 11400 Burnet Road <-- | 512-838-5321 |+are my own.+
--> Austin, TX 78728 <-- | "Refugee of UW-Madison!" |+++++++++++++
------------------------------------------------------------------------
END OF OS/2 DISCUSSION FORUM 911003
***********************************